Series championships. After falling to the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in the 2016 Pacific League Climax Series, the Hawks won the 2017 Japan Series in six games over the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, in a series where the Hawks led 3–0, but were almost pushed to a 7th game. The following year the Hawks also won the 2018 Japan Series against the Hiroshima Carp in six games, making it back-to-back titles for a 2nd time, and four out of the last five; the next year, they became the first team to win three straight Japan Series titles since the Seibu Lions did it from 1990 to 1992, the teams that Kudoh was also a member of, by sweeping the Yomiuri Giants. 2021 would be Kudo's last season managing the Hawks, going for a 60-62-21 record, the first time since 2013 the Hawks failed to qualify for the playoffs, and first time since 2008 the Hawks failed to maintain a .500 winning percentage season. Kudo would be replaced by former Nankai Hawks player Hiroshi Fujimoto for the upcoming 2022 season. Pitching style With a high three-quarters delivery, Kudoh was a master at hiding the ball until release. While not known as a prolific strikeout pitcher (though he has two strikeout titles in NPB), he was capable of getting batters out reliably with soft contact. He covered his position well and was an excellent fielder, having won three gold gloves. Standing at 176 cm or 5'9" and weighing 80 kg or 176 lbs., Kudo was never known for overpowering pitches, even in his prime, as he topped out at 148 km/h or 92 mph. Kudoh instead relied on pinpoint control on his straight (four-seam) fastball and an array of breaking pitches. Among his repertoire of breaking pitches were a late-breaking curveball, a slider, and occasionally he threw a sinker/shuuto. Kudoh had his share of injuries, but the vast majority of them came late in his career, including endoscopic elbow surgery in 2008. By this time, he had already lost most of the velocity on his fastball and had to rely on veteran savvy and guile to get batters out. Personal life His son is Asuka Kudoh, a Japanese actor. See also List of top Nippon Professional Baseball strikeout pitchers References External links Career statistics - NPB.jp 81 Kimiyasu Kudo PLAYERS2021 - Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site 1963 births Baseball people from Aichi Prefecture